Chimdi Chekwa | Defensive Back

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Raiders re-signed CB Chimdi Chekwa.

A restricted free agent, Chekwa wasn't tendered a contract by the Raiders. He was then signed by the Patriots, but released after only two months. Chekwa played 89 defensive snaps across 10 games last season. He's a depth signing. May 19 - 4:06 PM

Oakland was already without D.J. Hayden, so Chekwa was poised to play outside in sub-packages, with Carlos Rogers kicking inside to nickel back. The Raiders will turn to rookie T.J. Carrie, who may wind up seeing a healthy dose of Eric Decker. Rotoworld has Decker as a top-22 wideout play in Week 1.

Chimdi Chekwa is running as a first-team outside corner in sub-packages at Raiders training camp.

Would-be starter D.J. Hayden (ankle surgery) is out indefinitely, so it's entirely possible Oakland enters the season with an arrangement of Chekwa and Tarell Brown outside with Carlos Rogers covering the slot in nickel sets. Chekwa played roughly 170 defensive snaps last season and got burned regularly in coverage. The Raiders will hope to lean on their pass-rush stable to mask secondary deficiencies this season. (It's far easier planned than done.)

24-year-old Chekwa was a fourth-round pick in 2011, under the Al Davis regime. At 6-foot, 190, Chekwa ran 4.33 and 4.37 forty times at the Combine two Februaries ago. He'll likely close out the season playing special teams.

A fourth-round pick last season, Chekwa was no longer under scholarship in Oakland, and will look to continue his career elsewhere. The Raiders claimed CB Phillip Adams, LB Keenan Clayton and OT Willie Smith in corresponding moves.

With Chris Johnson (groin) also injured, the Raiders couldn't afford to wait for Chekwa's hamstring to heal after a recent setback. Per Pro Football Focus, the fourth-rounder graded out well-below average as a fill-in starter in two games this season. He'll return as a reserve in 2012.

Chekwa's track speed checks out for Al Davis, even if he doesn't play to those wheels. A Big Ten champ in the 4 x 100 relay, Chekwa ran 4.33 and 4.37 at February's Combine. Critics believe Chekwa is more of a zone corner, however, so DBs coach Rod Woodson has some work to do. He picked off six passes in his career as a three-year starter for the Buckeyes, and has some experience in the nickel. Chekwa is also coming off wrist surgery.

Depth Charts

No explanation has been given yet, but we should get details soon. It seems likely Richardson failed to pass his conditioning test. The San Francisco Chronicle recently passed along "whispers" that the Raiders' flyer on T-Rich is "not going so well." Richardson appears to be squarely on the roster bubble.

Streater reportedly looked healthy and explosive at spring practices, coming off last year's fractured foot. So his placement on the NFI list is a surprise. Typically in these cases, the player failed his conditioning test.